2.0 Analysis 2.1 Controlled Flight into Terrain The evidence indicates that the aircraft was in straight and level controlled flight with both engines producing cruise power when it entered the trees. The weather was not suitable for VFR flight in the mountainous terrain. The pilot was probably attempting to maintain visual flight below cloud and in poor visibility, and inadvertently flew into the trees. It was not possible to determine why the aircraft, which was going south to Terrace, crashed heading north; however, it is possible that the pilot was manoeuvring to avoid cloud, and struck the trees while heading north. The fact that the aircraft was found in the mountains five miles from the main VFR route to Terrace suggests that the pilot had either diverted to avoid weather, or had become lost while attempting to maintain a navigation course in the poor weather. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The aircraft struck the trees in straight and level flight with the engines producing cruise power. The pilot did not pass his recent instrument rating check ride. Staffing in the sector met unit standards. The supervisor was working in another sector at the time of the occurrence. The aircraft was airworthy on departure from Terrace, and the ELT had been recently checked. The weight and centre of gravity were within the prescribed limits, and there was sufficient fuel for the flight. The ELT was damaged at impact and did not function. The pilot was probably trying to avoid bad weather by flying low in the mountainous terrain when he inadvertently struck the trees. 3.2 Causes The pilot likely attempted to continue the visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions. The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.4.0 Safety Action The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.